Page 13 of Love Is: Two Bodies One Soul

Owen turned away, feeling cornered by the conversation and reluctant to talk about Margaret. Perhaps it was his own fault George misread him so many times. He had shared a bare minimum of what happened within that doomed marriage and never let George in on the secret fear that lay behind a wish to stay single in earlier years. George, who’d flung himself wholeheartedly into love at twenty, would never have understood that for Owen, loving invariably meant loss. That’s how it had seemed to him in his childhood – losing his little sister and father, and finally his grandpa. All violent, bloody deaths. For a fourteen-year-old in the middle of the rewiring of his brain, it was evidence that if he loved someone; it was a death wish – a curse. And although, as a reasonably rational adult, Owen understood now he was not cursed, it was too late. His childhood belief had led him to a pattern of behaviour that had almost ruined his life. Penniless and alone. He stared at the poster of the tropical island. Tempted again. Perhaps some time away from civilisation might give him time to heal at last. Or was it too late for that? Then remembering George was still there, waiting for an answer, Owen said, ‘If you want to separate Xander from the girl, why not send her with me? Can she use a camera?’

‘No. At least I don’t think so, but I can’t let you have Kate. I need her here.’

Owen frowned and glanced through the glass wall. Kate was leaving the office. He could see the attraction – but George? Really? Is that what happened, even to true love? ‘What does Millie think about that?’ he asked.

George screwed up his face, puzzled. ‘She likes Kate,’ he said. Then horrified understanding dawned. ‘Jeez, Owen, no! It’s only a business relationship.’

‘You sure about that?’

‘Yes. I’m fond of Kate, I admit it, but Millie’s the only one for me. You must know I’d never cheat on her.’

‘Glad to hear it.’

‘Good.’ George shuffled, visibly unnerved by what Owen had implied. Then he changed back into recruitment mode. ‘So, what do you say? Will you take Xander Scott with you? He’s a gifted photographer, even if he is an arrogant prick. He can’t help that – it’s his privileged background that made him that way.’

‘I never thought I’d see the day you stood up for one of the privileged classes.’

‘Well, here it is … and I am standing up for him. He was supposed to be a doctor like his dad, but he followed his own dream, stood up to an overbearing father and dropped out of med school to become a photographer.’

‘Hmmm,’ Owen said, wondering if George recognised the parallel with his own life. Not that Chas Halcyon was a doctor, but he certainly was overbearing.

‘He’s got backbone,’ George pressed on. ‘Kate told me his old man gave him hell and not only for giving up medicine. Apparently, Lexie – that’s Xander’s twin sister – dropped out of teacher training college at the same time and went to work for a local photographer, so she could be a photographer like her brother. She does weddings, pets and family portraits. That sort of thing. Xander got the blame for leading his sister astray. Though ….’ George chuckled. ‘I’ve met the girl, and no one could lead that young lady anywhere she didn’t want to go – not even her twin. But I’m going off-topic here – back to what’s important. Xander won’t disappoint you. So, cut me some slack. Take him with you, and if, while you’re there, you can bang some sense into him, give him a life lesson or two on how to treat women properly, you’ll be doing me another big favour.’

‘I don’t think I’m the man for that job.’ Owen drained the last of the coffee and put the mug on the tray.

‘Maybe not. But you are the man for the editorial job.’ George watched Owen, eagerly following his movements, clearly keen for a decision. ‘What’s your answer? Will you help save WIV?’

‘I guess so,’ Owen said, surprising himself.

‘Great!’ George sprang forward and slapped Owen on both arms. ‘Owen, you are, and always were, a true mate. Hey! I’ve just thought Millie’s wish has almost come true.’

Puzzled, Owen frowned.

‘Don’t you remember? The first time you met her … oh, perhaps she said it later after you’d stamped off in a moody.’

‘I don’t stamp off.’

‘Much.’ George laughed, then went on, ‘No, now I remember it was definitely when it was just Millie and me. She said if we were all going in for journalism, it would be great if we could work together. This could be that time. Maybe I could get her onto the payroll as well? If things pick up.’

‘Hasn’t Millie got her hands full with your two youngsters.’

‘Three now.’

‘Three!’

‘Yes, August last year. I thought you knew?’

‘Maybe I did. Memory is not so good nowadays. Boy or girl?’

‘Another girl.’

Owen smiled. ‘The girls have you well and truly outnumbered.’

‘You too … with your little girl. Hey, what are you doing this weekend?’

‘Not much. Why?’

‘Come visit tomorrow. Bring Emi.’

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